Effect of Multi-Monomer Grafted Polyolefin Elastomer/Polypropylene on the Structure and Properties of Polypropylene/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

Polypropylene (PP)/organic montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites with a β nucleating agent (β-NA) were prepared via melt-extrusion using polypropylene/polyolefin elastomer-g-maleic anhydride/2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (PPMH), as a compatibilizer. The effects of the PPMH content on the structure and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. It was revealed that the PPMH enhanced the interfacial interactions between the OMMT surface and the PP matrix, and the extent of intercalation and exfoliation of the OMMT as well as the crystallization properties of the nanocomposites depended significantly on the PPMH content. The impact strength and melt strength of the β-nucleated PP/OMMT blend with 60 wt% PPMH, 40 wt% PP and 3 wt% of OMMT, were about 4 and 6 times higher than that of neat PP, respectively. Furthermore, the thermal stabilities of the composites were better than that of pure PP.